Do you hoard knives, and how to break out of this obsession?

E

Etna

Joined
Jun 17, 2015
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444
I suppose my preference for SanRenMu and Enlan knives is public knowledge by now, so i'll skip that intro and go straight to the point.

To put it simply, because of how SanRenMu and Enlan are being so opaque with their production plans and the fact that they are known to abruptly introduce new models or discontinue existing ones (or just simply cease production altogether), i have been going on a hoarding spree where I will always buy at least four or six of any model i set my eyes on. The result is that i now have an entire carton packed with SanRenMu and Enlan boxes and at least a third of my salary goes into those knives every month.

Common sense will dictate that I have way more knives than I will ever use in this lifetime and that this should really stop. And yet, as soon as i start worrying about how I will not be able to get replacements if i lose or damage a knife that may get discontinued in the future thanks to their track record of doing so without warning, out comes the credit card for yet another bulk purchase and it's really eating into my checkbook.

What would be the best way for breaking out of this obsession? Will switching over to brands with a more stable and predictable product lifecycle like Taylor and CRKT help?
 
https://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Compulsive_buying_disorder

If it's consuming 1/3 of your pay, then you should dial it back a bit.

If you really want to "break out of the obsession" then you need to stop buying knives. Don't just change brands and continue doing the same thing. If it's something you spend a lot of time on, then you will need something else to consume that time so you don't drift back into the same habits. Find some other hobby or interest that doesn't require repetitive buying of more "stuff" to keep up the interest.

For most knife companies, you are their dream customer. Case's business model is built on customers like you.
 
Etna said:
To put it simply, because of how SanRenMu and Enlan are being so opaque with their production plans and the fact that they are known to abruptly introduce new models or discontinue existing ones (or just simply cease production altogether), i have been going on a hoarding spree where I will always buy at least four or six of any model i set my eyes on. The result is that i now have an entire carton packed with SanRenMu and Enlan boxes and at least a third of my salary goes into those knives every month.

Common sense will dictate that I have way more knives than I will ever use in this lifetime and that this should really stop. And yet, as soon as i start worrying about how I will not be able to get replacements if i lose or damage a knife that may get discontinued in the future thanks to their track record of doing so without warning, out comes the credit card for yet another bulk purchase and it's really eating into my checkbook.

What would be the best way for breaking out of this obsession? Will switching over to brands with a more stable and predictable product lifecycle like Taylor and CRKT help?
Click to expand...

There is no real cure. But you might just ask yourself why you have 5 or 6 of the same knife when you continue to buy more. Preferences change over time. At most, I want a spare backup of a favorite knife unless that favorite is being discontinued.

I used to purchase signed/numbered prints from one artist.... everything he did. I bought it. Then I started buying two of each just in case I wanted to frame one. Ultimately, the wallet dictated that I stop. I was spending several thousand dollars a year just on art when my house walls were completely covered (tastefully), with nicely framed art work already. There was no more room. Thought about rotating things on the wall, but what to you do with the ones you take down.... lean them against a wall some where, right? They piled up.

So, in terms of knives, you will just have to cycle through this phase and you might chuckle about it later.

Your obsession almost sounds like a credit card thing.... folks who use credit cards and don't pay off their bills monthly eventually find out that a pile of money collecting interest is an ongoing situation and one at that point you can't escape reality. Cut up the cards and limiit to one or two and pay off the debt. Some refinance their homes and pile the money (debt) into their equity loan or house loan..... then they discover that they have not changed their tendancies and a couple years later they are at the same place on debt except worse because they piled the old debt into a consolidated loan and didn't change their habits.
 
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No knife is likely to break on you 6 times, unless it's a total piece of junk, or you flat out abuse it.
 
Nothing against SanRenMu and Enlan and I've heard they are good bang for your buck. But I am having a hard time imagining someone would buy 5 or 6 of the same model. I mean why for what??
 
sharp_edge said:
Nothing against SanRenMu and Enlan and I've heard they are good bang for your buck. But I am having a hard time imagining someone would buy 5 or 6 of the same model. I mean why for what??
Click to expand...

Mostly because they have a notorious record for abruptly introducing and discontinuing models. Whenever i see a model i like, the thought process goes like this:

"I like this one."
"It's cheap, too! $11!"
"But what if they discontinue it soon? Better hoard some first."
*click on Add to Cart* x6
 
Funny story about "back ups" or multiples of a certain knife;
When REI released their new S30V Benchmade 531 I ran over to "check one out" and most likely buy a knife I didn't need. I already had an EDC 531 and a 2nd one NIB.
I used to work at my local REI and know a lot of the staff there. An old coworker who is from Nepal and Buddhist was the one to help me at the knife case. When I pulled my current EDC 531 of of my pocket to compare he said with both a chuckle and a smile, "why would you need two?" His wise words has prevented me from buying additional knives, axes etc. for months now. Glad he was the one to help me otherwise there would be at least one 531 on the exchange for less than I paid for it.

OP if you are spending 1/3 of your take home you definitely are over the edge to use a pun. Look at those knives and realize they are tools, are for being used as such and almost NEVER gain value. Challenge yourself to streamline. There is a lot to be said for "light & fast" as a philosophy. Climbers use this style to keep weight down thus speeding their climb and shortening their time on the mountain (with its objective hazards, weather and lightning often being one). Carrying less makes for a faster climb which in turn is a safer climb.
The same fast and light approach is how AT and PCT trail Thruhikers work these days.
So that said start looking at your material goods with the climbers and Buddhist's approach. You only NEED one. The rest is extra weight. Especially since you are hoarding knives with very little $$ value so selling them will most likely lose money.
 
I kept myself busy with my other hobbies.

Also I've tried most every knife design/style there is so Im past the trial and error stage. Im much more selective now.
 
^^^^other hobbies. Try Disc Golf and you will really start hoarding back ups (discs).
 
billym said:
Funny story about "back ups" or multiples of a certain knife;
When REI released their new S30V Benchmade 531 I ran over to "check one out" and most likely buy a knife I didn't need. I already had an EDC 531 and a 2nd one NIB.
I used to work at my local REI and know a lot of the staff there. An old coworker who is from Nepal and Buddhist was the one to help me at the knife case. When I pulled my current EDC 531 of of my pocket to compare he said with both a chuckle and a smile, "why would you need two?" His wise words has prevented me from buying additional knives, axes etc. for months now. Glad he was the one to help me otherwise there would be at least one 531 on the exchange for less than I paid for it.

OP if you are spending 1/3 of your take home you definitely are over the edge to use a pun. Look at those knives and realize they are tools, are for being used as such and almost NEVER gain value. Challenge yourself to streamline. There is a lot to be said for "light & fast" as a philosophy. Climbers use this style to keep weight down thus speeding their climb and shortening their time on the mountain (with its objective hazards, weather and lightning often being one). Carrying less makes for a faster climb which in turn is a safer climb.
The same fast and light approach is how AT and PCT trail Thruhikers work these days.
So that said start looking at your material goods with the climbers and Buddhist's approach. You only NEED one. The rest is extra weight. Especially since you are hoarding knives with very little $$ value so selling them will most likely lose money.
Click to expand...
A Buddhist might also ask, why do you need 2/3rd of your money left over if one third is enough?
 
realize you will die one day and your family will find brand new boxes filled with cheap user knives. they will see no value in them.

worse case your wife's new husband, after you die, will inherit lots of new value user knives. you gave up lots of fun and savings, comfort, etc for him to have boxes of new knives you never used. someone very smart made that point about safe queens, on here.

if one breaks, so be it. there are other models out there and other brands. life is too short to make sure you have enough of everything just in case. accept that and you'll be much happier and have a much better life. it does sound like you might need help.......if you can't stop on your own, seek help.
 
It's called cognitive behavioral therapy. Start by using your knives as much as you can, allowing yourself to realize that you really only need one or two or maybe three, depending on your uses. Then gradually start to have the conversation with yourself when you're about to purchase - "what function will this serve in my life?" If you're honest and answer "to sit in a drawer/box while I use and carry something else," you will cultivate a newfound appreciation for your bank account balance.

I asked the question. And now I rotate a Sodbuster Jr., a CSC Barlow, and a half whittler.
 
Get into knife making.
Then there's no fear of a particular model disappearing. You just make a new one and with handles totally customized to your particular hands.
How cool is that?
You can pick any steel you like!
You'll handmake make very personal gifts for all your friends and family.
No matter where on the planet your blades end up they'll have your name on it and will exist long after you are dead. Almost as good as building a pyramid.
Get to it already.
 
Buy a ridiculously expensive knife. Like absurd price. Maybe, with a lot of features.

That'll stop the obsession.
 
Got bitten by the knife bug bad and am lovin it!! If you guys keep postin pics I will be broke soon. Just kiddin. Forum is great and appreciate all the advice and knowledge.
 
Buy more expensive knives and fewer cheap knives.

You might ask yourself WHY you need so many duplicates. As I said earlier, tastes change and yours will also. No sense in piling up a bunch of cheap knives just to have them. Plus you know what is likely to happen with all those knives when you pass away..... landfill. Because they have little value.
 
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